Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Philanthropist

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I'm liking Ms. Matlock's style with her Saturday Centus lately. Seems like every prompt helps me dream up an idea or two. Today's phrase, as always, is shown in red (below). I even managed to stay within the 106-word limit! You're welcome, Jenny.

∞§∞


The Philanthropist
©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

Unflinching resolution is
a phrase that always conjures you.
Your war cry is "Snap out of it."
And "Seize the day" is your world view.

You dabble in philanthropy,
dispense it with a heavy hand,
and find the lack of gratitude
quite difficult to understand.

Sometimes you give for goodness' sake.
Sometimes your motives aren’t so pure.
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you break
them. Pfft. Only the strong endure.

∞§∞

True charity empowers, not impairs...ennobles, not enables.
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18 comments:

  1. Rinkly RimesSeptember 29, 2012 at 10:51 PM

    Your poem was well-rounded by the excellent quote.

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  2. Susan AndersonSeptember 29, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    Thanks, Rinkly. Actually, though, that isn't a quote. It was just me pontificating.

    ;)

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  3. anitamombanitaSeptember 29, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    isn't that the truth. charity given for anything other than charity's sake is no charity at all.

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  4. 21 WitsSeptember 30, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Ah yes, and "Pfft" life itself goes away far too quickly if we don't endure and keep moving on....what a nice reflection your poem offers for me this autumn morning....I feel given a bit of a break from fall- it reach 80 here yesterday, and a Medieval Fair at Caponi Art Park is calling.....!

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  5. GailSeptember 30, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    Yes, sometimes one is just looking for a button to state how "nice" they are.

    Very nicely done.

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  6. CherylSeptember 30, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    I love your pontificating! This was truly wonderful, Sue. I wonder why people expect something more grand than a receipt or a thank you for charitably giving financial or volunteering assistance.

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  7. Brian MillerSeptember 30, 2012 at 7:47 AM

    its a hard life...i think we always have to check our motives in why we are giving....and in that find the truth of our hearts...

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  8. BECKYSeptember 30, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    Love the Pfft! :)

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  9. Karen MortensenSeptember 30, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Good job once again.

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  10. Bargain Decorating with LaurieSeptember 30, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    What a great message, said so well in your poetry. I liked this a lot. laurie @ http://dealingwithmyinnercritic.blogspot.com/

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  11. noexcusesOctober 1, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Absolutely wonderful! Your poetry is terrific and very meaningful!

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  12. JudieOctober 2, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Another wonderful piece from you, Sue!

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  13. LeAnnOctober 2, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Another insightful post from you. I love when you do these. Your talent continues to amaze me and I have learned so much from you.
    Blessings and hugs for you!

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  14. karenOctober 2, 2012 at 4:16 PM

    Good one Sue - and so true. You and I pontificate tandem thoughts.

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  15. CarolineOctober 3, 2012 at 6:25 AM

    Sue, this was wonderful. No surprise there!

    I actually imagine a book of wise quotes by Sue. :)

    Last night Gil and I were reading a little about Simon Bolivar. I didn't know that in school, similar to how we learned about George Washington all the Latin American students learned about Simon Bolivar. We were reading some of his thoughts and quotes and had the conversation about how he really not only liberated the Venezuelans from Spain but was also such a philosopher. It was a neat discussion.

    I mention that because I consider you to be a philosopher in a way, and I mean that as a compliment. I hope you don't mind me saying so.

    I've missed you blog. I stopped by last night and skimmed through (I've missed so much!) but was putting the kids to bed and had to wait until today to comment.

    :)

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  16. gautami tripathyOctober 3, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    Love your Centus!

    lure of the impure

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  17. Grandma HoneyOctober 3, 2012 at 3:53 PM

    "...and find the lack of gratitude quite difficult to understand."
    So true!

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  18. JennyOctober 8, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    I'm not sure why but when I read this I could hear Carly Simon singing, "You're so vain" inside my head!

    Loved this!

    You always have such a unique view on things!

    And you always execute your view perfectly!

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